10 Haunted Cemeteries In North Carolina That Locals Swear Are Too Creepy To Visit Alone

Creeeeak. If rusty red drops started falling from a stone arch above my head, I would not be standing around long enough to investigate.

Especially after hearing the legend.

North Carolina has old cemeteries where the history is already fascinating before the ghost stories even begin.

Then somebody mentions a girl in a barrel.

Or an angel statue that supposedly turns its head on Halloween.

And suddenly I am checking how much daylight is left.

Some of these grounds have been here since the early 1700s, with weathered stones and stories connected to soldiers, settlers, writers, and one very famous soft drink inventor.

That mix of documented history and local folklore is exactly what makes them so irresistible to me.

Would I visit? Absolutely.

Would I go alone near sunset? Ha.

Nice try. I am bringing backup.

10. Old Burying Ground

A little girl buried inside a barrel is the story that pulls most people through these gates. Legend says she passed away at sea, and her family kept her in the barrel so she could rest at home.

That tale is just the start in this Beaufort graveyard. Burials here date to the early 1700s, which makes it one of the oldest cemeteries in North Carolina.

Revolutionary War and Civil War soldiers rest among the markers. Graves stretch from the 1700s into the 1900s, so you’re basically reading town history carved in stone.

Folklore adds another oddity. A British soldier is said to be buried standing up, ready for duty even now.

The northwest corner contains some of the cemetery’s oldest unmarked graves, which local tradition has linked to conflicts involving Native American communities in the early 1700s.

Don’t worry about getting lost in old stories without help. A self-guided pamphlet walks you through the history and gives a flavor of life when Beaufort was founded.

The grounds are well kept, with handsome markers and quiet spots to stop and think. Kids tend to enjoy it too, especially the barrel story.

The cemetery welcomes visitors Monday through Saturday from 9:30 AM to 5 PM from April through December, with shorter hours from January through March. Sundays are closed.

Free street parking and on-site parking make the visit easy. Just maybe don’t wander that northeast corner by yourself.

Address: 411 Ann St, Beaufort, NC 28516

9. Oakdale Cemetery

Gothic monuments, Victorian graves, and a buried-alive legend make Wilmington’s most famous cemetery a ghost walk favorite. If old stone angels give you chills, brace yourself.

Oakdale opened in the 1850s as the city’s first large rural cemetery. Its winding paths and towering markers feel like a museum of 19th-century mourning.

The spookiest stories come from the Victorian years. Local ghost stories mention mysterious figures among the Victorian monuments, but Wilmington’s famous buried-alive legend is associated with the St. James churchyard, not Oakdale Cemetery.

You don’t have to believe any of it to feel the mood. Shadowy trees, iron fences, and grand family plots handle the drama just fine.

History lovers get plenty here too. Many of Wilmington’s older families are buried on these grounds, and their monuments show off some serious Victorian craftsmanship.

One sweet story balances the eerie ones. A ship captain rests here with his loyal dog, who reportedly stayed by his side to the end.

Plan your visit for daylight, since the gates are open daily from 8 AM to 5 PM. That gives you time to wander without racing the sunset.

Wear comfortable shoes, because the grounds are large and some paths roll gently. Bring a friend if you plan to read the older stones up close.

Honestly, the buried-alive story alone is reason enough to have company. Nobody wants to hear a mystery knock alone.

Address: 520 N 15th St, Wilmington, NC 28401

8. Riverside Cemetery

Two of America’s best-known writers rest on these Asheville hills, and the ghost stories might be even more famous than they are. Thomas Wolfe and O.

Henry both have graves here.

Riverside was founded in 1885. Today it’s a sprawling green space packed with tombs and winding roads through wooded slopes.

Western North Carolina folklore loves this place. Ghost tour groups talk about spectral Confederate soldiers who seem to fade between headstones.

Phantom footsteps are another common claim. Picture them echoing along those hilly paths, and you’ll understand why people bring a buddy.

Some stories mention children’s laughter on foggy mornings. Mountain fog rolls in easily here, so that one feels extra believable.

Book fans can turn the trip into a literary pilgrimage. Wolfe wrote Look Homeward, Angel, which drew heavily on Asheville life.

O. Henry gave the world stories with famous twist endings.

Fitting, since a cemetery with ghost legends is its own kind of twist.

The hills are real, so wear good walking shoes. Some sections climb more than you’d expect from the entrance.

Gates open daily from 7 AM to 6 PM, which is longer than many cemeteries on this list. Early birds can catch that famous fog.

Just don’t be surprised if you hear footsteps behind you. Hopefully they belong to the friend you brought.

Address: 53 Birch St, Asheville, NC 28801

7. Cedar Grove Cemetery

Stand under the wrong arch at the wrong moment, and legend says your number is up. That’s the reputation of the Weeping Arch at this New Bern cemetery.

The arch was built in 1854 from coquina, a shell stone. It’s known for weeping a rusty red moisture, especially during funerals.

Folklore warns that whoever gets dripped on will be the next person buried. Science probably points to stone and rainwater, but who wants to test it?

Cedar Grove dates to the early 1800s. It was started during a yellow fever outbreak, when the town needed new burial space.

Here’s a fun surprise for soda fans. Caleb Bradham, the inventor of Pepsi, rests on these grounds.

Several North Carolina congressmen are buried here as well. More than 300 Confederate soldiers also have graves in the cemetery.

Spanish moss hangs from the trees and gives the place a classic Southern Gothic look. Shadowy silhouettes show up often in local ghost stories.

Some tales claim grave robberies in the 1900s stirred up restless spirits. It’s a creepy idea, even if you just stick to the history.

Accessibility is a plus here. The cemetery has a wheelchair accessible entrance and parking lot.

Walk through the arch quickly, or take the long way around. Nobody will judge you either way.

Address: 808 George St, New Bern, NC 28560

6. Oakwood Cemetery

Ever feel like a statue is watching you? At Raleigh’s historic Oakwood, that feeling has its own legend.

The Ratcliffe Angel guards the grave of Etta Ratcliffe. Visitors often claim its stone eyes seem to follow them as they walk by.

The story gets wilder on Halloween. Legend says the angel’s head spins twelve times at midnight, and a crack in its neck gets cited as proof.

Oakwood was founded in 1869. The cemetery was established in 1869 around a separate burial ground for Confederate soldiers that had been established in 1867.

Today, many notable North Carolina figures rest here. Governors, senators, and other leaders make it a quiet who’s who of state history.

Paranormal fans report cold spots and whispers. Shadowy figures and EVP recordings also show up in ghost stories tied to the grounds.

The Victorian design is half the appeal. Rolling hills, old trees, and carved monuments make for a great slow stroll.

Gates open daily at 8 AM, closing at 6 PM during daylight saving time and 5 PM during standard time, so the Halloween midnight legend remains something visitors can only imagine.

The cemetery sits next to the historic Oakwood neighborhood with its Victorian homes. Pair the two for a full afternoon of old Raleigh charm.

Find the angel, snap a photo, and keep moving. If its head turns, run first and ask questions later.

Address: 701 Oakwood Ave, Raleigh, NC 27601

5. Old Settlers’ Cemetery

Skyscrapers tower over it, yet this little graveyard might be the most unsettling spot in uptown Charlotte. History and hauntings sit side by side in the middle of the city.

Burials here date back to the 18th century. For decades, it served as Charlotte’s main cemetery before newer grounds opened.

Many early settlers rest under these weather-worn stones. Soldiers from the Revolutionary War and the Civil War are buried here too.

Ghost walks love to stop here. Stories describe sudden temperature drops and shadowy shapes drifting among the headstones.

Some visitors claim they feel uneasy the moment they step inside. Growling noises and voices with no source show up in the tales as well.

The creepy reputation reportedly spreads past the walls. Nearby First Presbyterian Church has its own share of ghost stories.

The contrast is what makes it memorable. You can stand by a colonial grave and look up at glass office towers.

The historic grounds are maintained by the City of Charlotte, but official visitor information does not confirm unrestricted nighttime access.

If you go after dark, take a friend and a flashlight. The city noise fades faster than you’d think.

Read a few old names and dates while you’re there. It’s a quick lesson in how Charlotte began, ghosts optional.

Address: 200 W 5th St, Charlotte, NC 28202

4. Cross Creek Cemetery

Fog, a creek, and the sound of a horse that isn’t there. Fayetteville’s oldest public burial ground knows how to set a scene.

Cross Creek Cemetery dates to 1785. It’s also a stop on the Civil War Trail.

Inside, you’ll find a Confederate burial ground. North Carolina’s oldest Confederate monument was erected here in 1868, but it was removed in June 2020.

That history fuels plenty of folklore. On foggy nights, people describe a distant galloping horse and phantom soldier sounds.

Whispers with no speaker are part of the legend too. Some stories place spectral figures roaming the graves around dusk.

The Confederate section has the darkest tale. A woman’s scream is said to ring out there now and then.

Visitors also describe the mood shifting as they walk in. Calm air can suddenly feel heavy and sad, at least according to the stories.

Even without ghosts, the place rewards a slow walk. Centuries of military and civilian graves show how Fayetteville grew along the creek.

It’s a city-run cemetery, so the grounds are public. Go during the day for the best look at the older stones.

Bring a friend who doesn’t spook easily. You’ll want someone calm beside you if hoofbeats start echoing through the fog.

Address: 305 N Cool Spring St, Fayetteville, NC 28301

3. Old English Cemetery Historical Marker

Right beside a busy county courthouse sits a graveyard so quiet it almost feels like it’s holding its breath. Salisbury’s Old English Cemetery dates back to the late 18th century.

A historical marker points out the story of the grounds next to it. It’s a handy starting point before you wander among the stones.

The cemetery sits next to the Rowan County Courthouse. Several churches stand nearby, so the area feels steeped in old Salisbury life.

Moss covers many of the markers. Some honor people tied to the Revolutionary War and the Civil War.

Box tombs are a highlight here. These old stone boxes sit above ground and look especially spooky in low light.

Regional ghost tours have featured this spot for years. Tales describe eerie figures drifting among the centuries-old tombs.

The heavy silence is part of the creep factor. You’re steps from downtown, yet the noise seems to disappear.

Still, the grounds are well maintained and pleasant by day. It’s an easy stop if you’re exploring historic Salisbury on foot.

Take time to read the marker first. The history makes the moss and old carvings much more meaningful.

Visit with a friend if you plan to linger. Those box tombs feel a lot less charming once shadows stretch across them.

Address: Salisbury, NC 28144

2. Green Hill Cemetery

Lanterns at twilight, old mausoleums, and shadowy hollows sound like a movie set. In Greensboro, it’s just Green Hill Cemetery.

The city of Greensboro manages these historic grounds. That means public access and well-tended paths through a lot of local history.

Victorian mausoleums give the place a grand, old-fashioned look. Stone doors and carved details make for great photos, if you’re brave enough to stand close.

The land rolls through hills and low hollows. Those dips are where the spooky stories tend to gather.

The Friends of Green Hill Cemetery organize guided historical walks that explore the grounds, the people buried there, and the cemetery’s remarkable collection of trees.

Paranormal enthusiasts often mention cold spots. Phantom silhouettes are another common claim tied to the grounds.

History buffs can enjoy it without any ghost talk. Many of Greensboro’s earlier residents rest here, and their markers tell the city’s story.

Bring comfortable shoes for the slopes. The hollows can be steeper than they look from the road.

Check with the city’s cemetery office before planning a special visit. They handle the grounds and can answer questions about access.

A lantern tour with a group is probably the sweet spot. You get all the chills and none of the walking-alone panic.

Address: 901 Wharton St, Greensboro, NC 27401

1. Historic Hopewell Presbyterian Church Cemetery

Out on a country road north of Charlotte, colonial soldiers are said to keep watch after sunset. This churchyard in Huntersville takes its Revolutionary roots seriously.

The cemetery dates to the mid-1700s. That makes it one of the older church burial grounds in the Charlotte area.

Revolutionary War history runs deep here. Patriot soldiers and early settlers rest among the old stones.

General William Lee Davidson is among them. He fell at the Battle of Cowan’s Ford in 1781, and his grave draws history fans.

The setting feels remote compared to busy uptown. Open land and quiet roads add to the lonely mood.

Local ghost stories love that feeling. Tales describe phantom colonial soldiers pacing the edges of the churchyard after dark.

Picture old headstones leaning in long sunset shadows. It’s easy to see how these legends got started.

Visitors interested in the cemetery’s history can contact the church to arrange a guided historical tour.

Remember that it’s a church cemetery. Keep voices low and treat the space with respect, ghost hunt or not.

North Carolina has plenty of eerie graveyards, but few feel this tied to the country’s beginning. Bring a friend, and keep an eye on that perimeter.

Address: 10500 Beatties Ford Rd, Huntersville, NC 28078